India to host UCI Road World Championships for first time in Pune 2032
Synopsis
The Indian Olympic Association has hailed the decision to award the 2032 UCI Road World Championships to Pune. This marks the first time the prestigious cycling event will be held in India, a move described as a historic milestone for the nation.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has welcomed the decision of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) to award the 2032 UCI Road World Championships to Pune, India, marking the first time the prestigious event will be held in the country. The decision was announced at the 195th UCI Congress in Montréal, Canada, on 23 September, alongside the allocation of a number of UCI World Championships for the 2027–2034 period. The historic award represents an important milestone for Indian sport and provides another opportunity for the country to welcome athletes, teams and cycling fans from around the world. It also confirms India’s ambitions to become a leading global sporting nation over the decade ahead.
A Proud and Historic Moment for Indian Sport
PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association, said, “The award of the 2032 UCI Road World Championships to Pune is a proud and historic moment for Indian sport as we continue to build a strong international event portfolio. We thank the UCI for its trust in India and congratulate the Cycling Federation of India, its President Pankaj Singh and everyone who contributed to this landmark achievement. We look forward to welcoming the world’s best cyclists to Pune and inspiring a new generation across the country.”
Pune's Growing Cycling Profile
The award builds on Pune’s growing presence on the international cycling stage. Earlier in 2026, the city hosted the Pune Grand Tour, India’s first UCI-classified 2.2 multi-stage men’s road race, bringing together 164 riders from 28 teams representing 35 countries. Its UCI classification also gave riders the opportunity to earn valuable ranking points towards qualification for the LA 2028 Olympic Games.
A Milestone for Indian Cycling
Maninder Pal Singh, Secretary General of the Cycling Federation of India, said, “The award of the 2032 UCI Road World Championships to Pune is a historic moment for Indian cycling. In more than 100 editions of this prestigious event, it will be only the fourth time it is hosted in Asia, and the first time ever in India. Under the leadership of Pankaj Singh ji, MLA and President of the CFI, this achievement will position India as a major force on the global cycling stage and stands as a great milestone for the sport of cycling and for Indian sports in general”. (ANI)